[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Cheiro

Hi, If you enjoy living in The Villages, that is all that matters. Other folk's opinion is just that. As with any kind of massive development of this kind, The Villages has had an equally massive impact on what was originally a rather rural area. While I do not live in The Villages, I have lived next door to it for the past 15 years and have seen the changes to the area it has created, the good, the bad & the ugly. I cannot say my view of The Villages is a positive one because of that impact. I suggest you read a book called "Leisureville," by Andrew Blechman. It was written over 10 years ago, but it does lay out the nature of what The Villages is all about. Best wishes for your retirement years.

Leisureville, yes blechman had a dream and then wrote a book.
To get a feel of what Villagers think of that book…..do a search on here.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

My response is always “If you never tried ice cream, you would say it looks slimy, I’m not eating that! And, if there really are all these sex parties going on how come no one is inviting me? The villages is too much fun! You should come see!”

I did NOT get invited either about 9 years ago - now it is too late due to memory and equipment failures.

[DrHitch]

The Villages gave been a marketing nightmare for so many years. We continue to defend ourselves, our neighbors, our reputations.

The rumors about STDs, Loofas, etc are really getting boring.

So, keep your head up, your pride of ownership high....understand their petty comments are simply ignorance or "not knowing"...

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Darield

We've now been here 51/2 years. We came from Monument, CO although we lived in Co Springs for quite a few years. I've had both positive and negative responses. If someone comments that they are looking at the Villages to retire, my cheerleading attitude comes out. I finally borrowed the book that started all the rumors and stopped about 3/4 the way through.

There is no perfect place, but for us, it has been a great place to live. The most positive thing I can say is the hundreds of choices available to live an active and interesting life. I have pursued old hobbies, I have learned new hobbies, there are numerous places to volunteer or just donate to worthy causes. And most of all, it is a wonderful place to meet people and make new friends. Like any other place in the US, we have some crime and rude and unsavory people, but a large percentage people here watch out for each other and their neighborhoods.

Actually, about 9 years ago crime in the Villages was just about non-existent. People did not lock their house doors and they left their keys in their Golf Carts...........NOT recommended anymore!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by LarryD

I think people that have not been to the villages for a visit often read or see one of the hit pieces floating around that depicts the villages in not a good light and believe the nonsense. It is not perfect but it has exceeded our expectations and we have not seen any community we like better so far.

I absolutely agree with your post. For me, I worry about 2 things. 1) Heat and Humidity 2) The scientific prediction that # 1 will be getting worse for the next 30 years

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coleprice

Since moving to The Villages 2 years ago, my wife and I have visited two resorts for 4 to 5 day stays. We didn't meet anyone that had anything negative to say about The Villages. However, we found that the lovely resorts that we visited weren't nearly as nice as the resort in which we live - The Villages. I suspect that the people that you met that had negative opinions of The Villages saw the ridiculous documentary released a couple of years ago that featured people that were far from the typical Villages that we are acquainted with. The documentary's producers were so desperate to negatively depict The Villages that they even featured a homeless guy living in his van looking for a rich woman to take care of her.

I think that there are MORE the just one guy STALKING TV Land women. And even the opposite gender situation, only fewer.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

What you consider a "downside" is an upside for me. I don't do any of that stuff you mentioned but it certainly is wonderful for those who do partake in that "theatrical stuff". Think about it. Those folks who you feel look silly are moving and not sitting stagnant like so many seniors wind up doing when that "theatrical stuff" is not an option for them.

Yes, it is sort of weird to see a senior Danny and Sandy but what the heck? It gets people out of the house and enjoying something other than watching TV. Believe me, I know what great theater is. Hubby and I lived in the NY area many years and we went to many Broadway theater productions, mostly musicals. I still enjoy the pro am productions here in The Villages. That is what is so wonderful about this place, if you don't want to partake.......you don't have to.

Personally, I LIKE the twirlers and the cheerleaders. I give them a lot of credit. They don't seem 'FOOLISH" to me. I think that the golfers that think that they are GREAT athletes crack me up. Some are serious as a "heart attack" - I guess that that expression is NOT as funny as it was when I was 25.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by miharris

I've pretty much given up trying to describe the villages. I just invite them to visit via the lifestyle visit. I have run across several people who have negative pre-conceived notions. I don't bother arguing, I just try to correct any false information and leave it at that.

You could send them the video that the Villages produces.

[jimjamuser]

That WAS interesting. I knew that there were folks here that like heat and humidity. I wonder if they are in the majority or do the majority spend summer afternoons parked in front of the TV or maybe they go to Yoga some of the myriad other exercise and self-improvement classes in the afternoon?
......Maybe someone could do a survey here on that?

[Fenster]

You love it.
We love it.
Most neighbors I talk to love it.
Enough said!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Garywt

Good for you for loving where you live. We love being in the Villages as well. We have spent our entire lives in Massachusetts. No matter what others might think about it, the Villages is what you make of it and everyone likes different things. Not really sure why people don’t like it there. You get a nice house with more activities than anywhere else for a lot less money. Think about the house you have lived in your whole life, you probably had a house, yard and a driveway and maybe 1 pool. Most people did not live in a place that you could drive a golf cart on the streets. With everything that is offered, what is not to love.

The summer HEAT for one. Others are pretty minor.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Fastskiguy

I love your response to the std comments...gonna have to try that. You hear that comment all of the time, just a wild rumor that won't die. It's crazy!

As for TV..
Does everybody wish it was a little less hot and humid in the summer? Does everybody wish there was less traffic? I mean, no place is perfect but this place is pretty darn good. Easily the best place we've ever seen. If we knew of a better place we'd move there, right?

Joe

Right off the top of my head, I would say look into Sedona, AZ. Portland, Or. used to be nice, have not been there in 7 years. Couer d'Alene in Idaho is nice but pricey. Spokane Wa. is nice and more affordable. The Finger Lakes region of Western NY is very nice, but may be pricey now? There is a retirement center southeast of Seattle, Wa. that a friend of mine says is nice with lots of things to do. I have never been there personally.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I am not a fan of Florida. I lived in Florida years ago for a brief period of time and hated it then too. I've visited Florida almost yearly from the time my grandparents retired here in the 70's. I was mostly a-political (disinterested entirely) up until only the last decade or so.

My reasoning for not wanting to move to the Villages had nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with Florida.

That said, we ended up in The Villages, despite my objections to the state. Living here three years, I can say, quite objectively, that the Villages is a lovely facade. It is a beautifully painted picture. I am very happy with the idea of the Villages. I also love my particular neighborhood, and its proximity to everything I need. I love that it's a golf-cart community, and in fact I consider driving around in the golf cart to be one of the biggest highlights of the "Lifestyle." Getting out into the cart even for mundane tasks like going to a doctor's appointment always puts a smile on my face.

I love dancing in the square. I love that overall atmosphere, of healthy active older adults just getting together and having a wonderful time.

Sometimes the less attractive aspects of the Villages demographics is hard to get past. Sometimes - it is ugly. And actually there is an undercurrent of ugliness all the time. But most of the time it's easy to overlook and not be reminded forcefully that it exists.

As long as we can do that - overlook the thin film of ugliness that pervades beneath the surface - it's easy to really love living here. When that underside breaks through and becomes pervasive, I find it difficult to enjoy living here. Thankfully that doesn't happen often.

I even like the rain during rainy season. I hate hate hate the hotter humid summer temperatures which can last several months (as opposed to heat waves up north that might last a few weeks).

I can agree with that post.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Lately I have said "Hello" or "Good morning" to people when I was walking and only about 1/3 bother to even respond.

That's still more than a lot of places in the US.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

What are the "real bad" aspects of living here? I am curious to see what you think is so bad about this community.

Summer heat and humidity.